Matthew C. Irish

Vice Chairman

Matthew C. Irish is vice chairman of O’Neill and Associates’ and manager of the firm’s government relations practice. Drawing upon his nearly 20 years of experience with the Massachusetts state legislature and on numerous political campaigns, Mr. Irish develops and implements public affairs strategies that help clients reach their goals on the municipal and state levels.  Mr. Irish provides advice and counsel related to the strategic growth of the company and large-scale business development initiatives.

His clients have included Pepsi, The Boston Foundation, Safelite Autoglass, Environmental Defense Fund, Abiomed, Utility Workers of America Local 369, Tufts Health Plan, Boston Scientific, the American Resort Development Association, the Massachusetts Lodging Association, the Head of the Charles Regatta, General Motors, Novo-Nordisk, and Alkermes Pharmaceuticals.

Prior to joining O’Neill and Associates, Mr. Irish served as Chief of Staff for Massachusetts State Senator Steven Tolman. In this role, Mr. Irish oversaw and directed all legislative, budgetary, personnel and administrative issues and acted as the media spokesman. Before becoming Chief of Staff, Mr. Irish served as Senator Tolman’s Senior Legislative Aide and Staff Director. Mr. Irish began his career as a Press Assistant to then-U.S. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle.

Mr. Irish graduated from UMass Amherst with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He spent his junior year studying abroad at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. He holds two graduate degrees: a master’s degree in modern Irish history from Boston College, as well as a master’s degree in public affairs from the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies at UMass Boston. Matt is a native and resident of Worcester, MA and a graduate of Saint John’s High School of Shrewsbury.

You can reach Mr. Irish at 617-646-1015.